Act East policy will be a reality: PM

Kohima: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed firm resolve that the Act East Policy would be made a reality in order to connect the people of the Northeast with South East Asian countries to foster speedy development.

He emphasised that the development of the Northeast was an essential component to realise the dream of a developed country.

Modi underlined improvement in connectivity of the Northeast to achieve the target.

"Transformation of the region by transportation is being worked out to bring about faster development in the region," he said.

Modi was addressing a poll rally at Tuensang Town public ground in Nagaland ahead of assembly poll on February 27.

He affirmed that the BJP-led NDA government was committed to the transformation of Nagaland.

"The dream of having a new India will go alongside with the vision of the Naga people towards having a new Nagaland," he said.

"Unless Northeast is developed, the dream of having a developed country will not be achieved and therefore BJP government is paying special attention to the requirement of the region," Modi said.

He flagged connectivity issue of the Nagaland and said his government was working to overcome the problem.

"Connectivity is a huge challenge in Nagaland. We are working relentlessly towards it. In less than four years, we have added 500 km of national highways. We have also planned to invest more than Rs 10,000 crore in the roads of Nagaland," he said.

Modi lauded the efforts of the Naga people towards peace and tranquillity in the region.

He emphasised on checking leakage of developmental fund provided by the Centre and said the loopholes would be plugged with the help of technology.

"With the help of technology, we will plug the loopholes which are causing wastage of public money."

Apparently referring to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's comment that villages received only 15 paise out of Re 1 from the Centre, he said "with determination, we need to change this situation."

"Every penny of developmental fund sanctioned by the central government should reach the grass-root level," he said.

Dwelling on the prime focus of Naga people - solution of vexed Naga political issue, Modi asserted that his government was making all efforts with all seriousness.

He also exuded confidence that within next few months an honourable and acceptable solution would be achieved for which all have to come together.

"Solution of the Naga political problem will strengthen the democracy of the country and therefore we will make all efforts to solve the problem," he said. Making a reference of the problems faced by the people of eastern Nagaland, Modi asserted that his government was willing to have talks with the organisations of the area to hammer out a solution.

"Eastern Nagaland Public Organisation (ENPO) area is a huge area and therefore we will pay special attention for the area", he said adding the Centre was serious towards the protection of the Naga tradition and culture. Modi also announced that his government will spend around Rs 1,800 crore for making Nagaland's capital Kohima a smart city.

Making a statement in the Nagamese dialect, Modi said, "The BJP-NDPP alliance power te ahise koele development apuni laga bosti te punchai dibo". (If BJP-NDPP alliance comes to power we will bring development to your villages)

"We want to provide a stable, inclusive and corruption-free government in the state", the prime minister said while urging Nagas to elect BJP-NDPP candidates to bring about a change in the state.

"I assure you that NDPP-BJP will form a new government in Nagaland. This government along with that at the centre will drive Nagaland forward," he added.

The BJP has fielded 20 candidates and its alliance partner the NDPP 40 for the February 27 elections to the 60-member Nagaland assembly.